Cao Ying believed she had excellent talent; among the younger generation of the entire Pill Tower, few could compare to her.
This wasn't arrogance, but a genuine ability.
Now, someone was even stronger than her!
This feeling didn't make Cao Ying feel unconvinced.
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On the contrary, she developed a strong interest in Xiao Li.
Talents can generally be divided into two types.
One type is self-important, looks down on others, and cannot tolerate anyone being stronger than them.
The other type knows they are very talented but isn't arrogant and is willing to accept others being stronger.
Cao Ying belonged to the second type.
Xiao Li was stronger than her, and not only did she not get angry, but she also developed a strong interest in him.
"Young Master Xiao, you have truly opened my eyes."
"If there's an opportunity, I'd like to have a deeper private exchange with Young Master Xiao."
Cao Ying's lips curved into a captivating smile, making one's heart flutter involuntarily.
A vixen was indeed a vixen; even the well-experienced Xiao Li couldn't help but feel a ripple in his heart at such charm.
"If there's an opportunity, I'd also be willing to have a deeper exchange with Miss Cao Ying," Xiao Li said with a smile.
Their ambiguous words contained a different meaning, creating an unspoken understanding between them.
"I hope we can compete again in alchemy at the upcoming Pill Gathering," Cao Ying said, putting away her captivating smile and showing a hint of seriousness.
When it came to alchemy, she never joked.
Xiao Li also smiled and said, "I hope to have a good match with Miss Cao Ying again then."
Afterward, Cao Ying turned and returned to the Cao family's seats.
The surrounding audience exchanged glances.
Cao Ying, the most famous vixen of the Five Great Families, had actually lost to Xiao Li.
It was clear how astonishing Xiao Li's talent truly was.
Elder Sheng then walked onto the stage with a chuckle and said, "Haha, everyone has already seen the results. In this assessment of the Five Great Families, Ye Family's representative, Xiao Li, took first place."
"The Ye Family has also successfully retained its position among the Five Great Families."
As soon as these words were spoken, the onlookers applauded.
Although they didn't want to see this outcome.
Xiao Li's performance had completely conquered them.
Even if they didn't want to see this outcome, they had to admit it.
Hearing Elder Sheng's words, Ye Zhong and Ye Xinlan couldn't help but show excited joy on their faces, and the stone hanging in their hearts finally fell.
"Ye Zhong, congratulations," Elder Sheng walked over and said with a chuckle.
Ye Zhong nodded, his old face full of smiles: "Thank you, Elder Sheng."
Elder Sheng then looked at Xiao Li: "Xiao Li, your performance was outstanding and greatly exceeded my expectations."
"I hope to see you shine brightly in this Pill Gathering."
As an Elder of the Pill Tower, Elder Sheng was very happy to see so many talents emerging in Central Plains now.
Especially Xiao Li's talent reaching an unprecedented height, which piqued his strong interest.
"Thank you, Elder Sheng," Xiao Li simply bowed with clasped hands.
With the assessment over, the Five Great Families gradually dispersed.
This assessment would spread Xiao Li's name.
However, the assessment of the Five Great Families was ultimately only a semi-public matter, not important to most people.
What truly garnered countless people's attention now was the approaching Pill Gathering!
...In the Ye Family courtyard.
After completing the assessment, the Ye Family's crisis was completely resolved.
The worry and melancholy on Ye Zhong's face were swept away, replaced by unconcealed joy and excitement.
And Xiao Li's contribution was indispensable!
"Elder Xiao, I truly have to thank you this time. On behalf of the Ye Family, I express my heartfelt gratitude to you." Ye Zhong bowed solemnly.
"From now on, if Elder Xiao ever needs our Ye Family's help with anything, we will absolutely not delay!"
"Elder Ye Zhong is too polite, it was merely a small effort."
"Moreover, as for the thank-you gift, Xinlan will give it to me," Xiao Li said with a slight smile, looking at Ye Xinlan beside him.
She was startled for a moment, then remembered the condition she had agreed to with Xiao Li, and her cheeks immediately flushed, lowering her head, not daring to look at Xiao Li.
Ye Zhong didn't know what conditions Xiao Li and Ye Xinlan had agreed upon.
He also wouldn't ask further.
"By the way, Elder Xiao, are you preparing to participate in the Pill Gathering next?"
"Yes, I came here specifically for the Pill Gathering; helping you complete the assessment was just a side matter," Xiao Li didn't hide it.
"Elder Ye Zhong, do any of you also have people participating in the Pill Gathering?"
Ye Zhong shook his head awkwardly: "As Elder Xiao can see, the younger generation of our Ye Family doesn't have very good alchemy talent."
"As for the older generation, we can't bring ourselves to participate; after all, we wouldn't get any good rankings."
The minimum requirement to participate in the Pill Gathering was a Fifth-Grade Alchemist.
Among the younger generation of the Ye Family, only Ye Xinlan met this condition.
But she had only just reached the level of a Fifth-Grade Alchemist, only having the qualification to participate; whether she could reach the final step was an unknown.
It was even possible that she would be eliminated in the first round of assessment.
Rather than going up to make a fool of herself, it was better not to participate.
"Hahaha, it doesn't matter. Perhaps later, other alchemy talents will emerge in your Ye Family, and you will return to glory."
"Then I'll take Elder Xiao's auspicious words," Ye Zhong chuckled.
"By the way, since Elder Xiao is participating in the Pill Gathering, then during this time, please continue to stay here and don't travel around."
"Mm."
...As the date for the Pill Gathering drew closer, Holy Pill City became increasingly crowded, overflowing with people.
This was the grandest event in the entire Central Plains.
The super-power in Central Plains would basically come to watch the excitement. Even if they didn't participate in the Pill Gathering, they could scout for a few promising Alchemists and recruit them.
Therefore, the Pill Gathering was not only a stage for Alchemists to showcase and challenge themselves but also a time for various major forces to select talents.
These past few days, Xiao Li had also been diligently staying in the Ye Family manor, cultivating his soul power and quietly awaiting the arrival of the Pill Gathering.
Until this evening, when someone knocked on his door.
Outside the door was Ye Xinlan.
Tonight, Ye Xinlan was exceptionally beautiful, wearing a sky-blue gauze dress, her graceful curves faintly visible. Her long, beautiful legs were encased in a pair of pure white stockings, making her look very pure and lovely.
"Xinlan? Is there something you need me for so late?"
"Elder Xiao, I'm here to fulfill my promise from back then…" The girl lowered her head slightly, her lightly made-up cheeks blushing charmingly.
"Before the assessment, I said that if Elder Xiao was willing to help our Ye Family retain its Elder seat, Xinlan would be willing to be Elder Xiao's woman…"
Her voice was soft and nervous, and she didn't even dare to look up at Xiao Li.
Actually, these past few days, she had been agonizing over this, her heart constantly conflicted.
She wasn't trying to go back on her word; she just wasn't ready.
Until today, she finally made up her mind and came to find Xiao Li.
"Elder Xiao, Xinlan wants to become your woman…"